American Meat Abroad

Our readers inay be surprised to hear that up to the end of last month there has passed through the Central market a grand total of 108,025 tons of American meat, as certifled by Supt. Stephens. Every year the American iniports have increased with a steady, strong stride. In 1876 there was received 5,513 tons; in 1877, 14,641 tons; in 1878, 19,370 tons; in 1879, 20,751 tons; in 1880, 25,836 tons. During the present year tho increase has been stil] going on, so that, though there has been a temporary relaxation of imports during the past few weeks, there have, from January to August inclusive, been received 21,914 tons, being 3,163 tons more than during the corresponding period of last year. These figures, it should be remembered, refer only to dead meat, and there remains to be added the live stock slaughtered at Deptford. The increase in this direction is as remarkable as the other. In 1879, for example, there were killed at Deptford 28,615 American beasts, and 10,457 sheep; last year the numbers were 63,704 beeves, and 21,703 tnuttons. It would be a boon to the general public if the markets committee who will be asked to inquire into the question of willful obstruetion, would, while they are about it, try and discover to what extent the ordinary consumer has benefittecl by this enormous importation of cheap beef and inutton during the pasb flve yeara, if indeed he has benefited at all.